Current Affairs - National

Five beaches in Maharashtra—Shrivardhan and Nagaon in Raigad, Parnaka in Palghar, and Guhagar and Ladghar in Ratnagiri—have been awarded the Blue Flag certification. This international recognition is granted by Denmark’s Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches that meet 33 stringent criteria encompassing cleanliness, safety, environmental management, and sustainability. The certification highlights Maharashtra’s commitment to maintaining high environmental standards and promoting eco-friendly tourism. Achieving Blue Flag status not only enhances the beaches’ global visibility but also encourages conservation practices, public awareness, and responsible tourism development along the coastline.

The 90th Foundation Day of the National Sugar Institute (NSI) was celebrated in Kanpur, with Union Minister Prahlad Joshi attending as the chief guest. During the event, the minister announced the introduction of regular B.Tech and M.Tech programs related to the sugar industry. These courses will be offered by NSI in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, aiming to enhance technical expertise, research, and innovation in the sugar sector. Holding the event in Kanpur highlights the city’s longstanding association with sugar education and industry development in India.

The fourth edition of the SPARK (Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken) program has been launched to encourage scientific curiosity and research skills among undergraduate Ayurveda students. Specifically, the program targets 300 BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) students from colleges recognized by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM). Each selected student will receive a studentship of ₹50,000 to support their research initiatives. By focusing on Ayurveda students, the initiative aims to strengthen evidence-based research in traditional medicine and nurture the next generation of scholars in India’s ancient healthcare system.

The Manipur Global Buyers and Sellers Summit 2025 was inaugurated at the City Convention Centre in Imphal by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The summit, organized under the theme “Bridging Business Sans Borders,” is part of the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) initiative by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India. It aims to promote trade, investment, and collaboration among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing a platform for global buyers and sellers to connect. Hosting the summit in Imphal emphasizes the government’s focus on regional economic development and boosting MSME growth in North-East India.

Article 233 of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment of District Judges. The Supreme Court clarified that judicial officers who had completed seven years of practice as advocates before entering the judicial service are eligible for direct recruitment as District Judges under this Article. Earlier, only practising advocates with seven years of experience were considered eligible, excluding in-service judicial officers. This ruling ensures broader eligibility and promotes fairness in judicial appointments while maintaining the integrity and experience criteria necessary for the position of District Judge.